Retail News CRM

Tag: canada

  • Jollibee expands into Alberta eyeing 100 new restaurants

    Jollibee expands into Alberta eyeing 100 new restaurants

    Jollibee Canada is continuing its expansion, opening its first store in Alberta this Friday, (August 16) at Edmonton.

    The store will be the Philippine-founded fast-food group’s fifth store in Canada, as it sets out to build a network of 100 outlets there within five years.

    The chain recently opened other locations in Winnipeg and the Greater Toronto Area where it says local consumers lined up for hours.

    “Since opening locations in Scarborough and Mississauga over the past year, Jollibee Canada has been looking forward to serving Edmonton and making it easier for them to satisfy all of their Jollibee cravings,” said Maribeth Dela Cruz, president of Jollibee Foods Corporation North America.

    “Although Jollibee is wildly popular among Filipino-Canadians, the brand also attracts a diverse mix of adventurous foodies, curious locals and families alike.”

    She says that since the company announced plans to enter Canada it has received a high level of feedback from expatriate Filipinos across the country and others who have got to know the Jollibee brand in other countries it already operates, such as Vietnam, Singapore and parts of the US.

    Jollibee is the flagship brand of Jollibee Foods Corporation’s 14 brands, which now has more than 4500 stores in 21 countries.

  • King Living launches showroom in Canada

    King Living launches showroom in Canada

    Australian furniture business King Living has opened its first showroom in Canada, continuing the brand’s global roll-out which has seen stores open in Shanghai, Singapore, Malaysia and New Zealand.

    Located in a newly renovated 1000sqm heritage building in shopping district South Granville, Vancouver, the showroom will offer sofa designs, dining ranges, contemporary bed and mattress ranges and outdoor collections.

    King Living chief executive Anna Carrabs said the Canadian launch is a key component to the furniture retailer’s global growth strategy – with Vancouver being the first of many more showrooms in the American region.

    “King Living has already expanded into the Asian market with showrooms in Singapore, Malaysia and Shanghai, which have proven to be very successful in the roll-out of King Living internationally,” Carrabs said.

    “Showrooms will always be a huge part of the King DNA. We want customers to see, feel, test, and get to know the pieces in the flesh. All our designs are investment pieces made to last, so the tactile experience a showroom offers will always be incredibly important.”

    According to Carrabs, the Australian reputation for quality goods has set them apart from international competitors and has been the driving force behind its global expansion.

    “One of our biggest challenges has been challenges has been ensuring we find the right location for our King Living showrooms,” Carrabs said.

    “It is so important that our stores reflect our core values and Australian way of life. It took a considerable amount of time to find our showroom in Vancouver.

    “We wanted to be part of the vibrant shopping district which features around great galleries and gourmet restaurants so now, King Living is right at home.”

  • Firs Innisfreet Canada store opens in Toronto

    Firs Innisfreet Canada store opens in Toronto

    Innisfree Canada has chosen Toronto for its first standalone store.

    The South Korean natural cosmetics brand’s new store will cover around 2500sqft of Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre according to designs. It will use a direct-to-consumer retail model designed to meet a competitive marketplace.

    The “plant-to-bottle” brand, operated by Seoul’s Amorepacific Corporation, partnered with CBRE to enter Canada, with initial targets being major mall space in Toronto and Vancouver. Amorepacific currently owns 33 health, beauty and personal brands.

    Innisfree Canada is not alone in targeting the North American nation, with US company Ulta Beauty and French chain Sephora among prominent names in the beauty products industry recently moving in.

    Over the past five years, more than 150 international brands have opened stores in Canada, more than 50 in 2017. Last year more than 30 brands brought a direct-to-consumer retail model to Canada.

  • Sagara launches online Store Concept

    Sagara launches online Store Concept

    Tableware firm Sagara Inc has opened a global website after setting up a retail store in New York to market its environmentally conscious tableware for children.

    The firm’s Reale brand, made from a new bioplastic raw material blended with native Japanese bamboo, is being made available for the first time across North America, including the US and Canada.

    The company is scheduled to launch business-to-business and business-to-customer online sales in the territory next month, starting with sales through major department stores as well as retail outlets, online shops and other venues across North America dealing in baby and kid goods, interior products, gifts and other items.

    Sagara embarked on developing Reale in 2014 and started selling the tableware in Japan in November 2016. As of March this year, the brand is on sale in Taiwan, Mainland China and Australia.

    More than 20,000 Reale sets in total have been shipped up to this month. Its designs are inspired by traditional silverware in Europe and the US.

  • New Luk Fook store opens in Vancouver

    New Luk Fook store opens in Vancouver

    Luk Fook Canada has opened a new shop in CF Richmond Centre in Metro Vancouver.

    The new store is the first Oriental jewellery shop in the mall.

    “Adhering to the corporate vision of ‘Brand of Hong Kong, Sparkling the World’, the group has been actively expanding our retail network into the overseas market for new business opportunities as well as provision of superior products and after-sales services to our Chinese customers around the world,” said chairman and CEO of the group Wong Wai Sheung.

    At present, the group has more than 1820 shops in 10 countries and regions, where its footprint covers Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, the US, Canada and Australia.

    “We open a new shop at CF Richmond Center, Canada with the objective of expanding our customer base while bringing premier shopping experience to our Chinese customers around the globe,” added Wong. “Looking ahead, we will continue to stay enthusiastic to shape us to be the preferred jewellery brand for customers anywhere.”

    The group set its foothold in North America in 2003. Luk Fook Canada opened retail shops in Toronto and Vancouver, which each have a significant Chinese population. The city of Richmond has the largest Chinese population in Canada, and the CF Richmond Centre is considered a shopping hotspot for local and touring Chinese.

  • Roots Canada Gets It’s First Hong Kong Store

    Roots Canada Gets It’s First Hong Kong Store

    Premium outdoor lifestyle brand Roots Canada has opened its first Hong Kong store this month, at Harbour City.

    The store was opened with Fung Retailing’s Branded Lifestyle Group, its Asian retail partner.

    Roots Canada’s brick-and-mortar debut in the territory coincided with the launch of an online store with Zalora Hong Kong.

    “Opening a store at the largest and most diverse shopping mall in Hong Kong is an important first step in what has the potential to be a multi-store market for Roots,” said Jim Gabel, president and CEO of Roots Canada.

    “Further, with an online store on Zalora, customers can go beyond the physical location to connect with our brand anytime and from anywhere in Hong Kong. Our expansion into Hong Kong is a testament to the continued success of our longstanding partnership with Branded Lifestyle Group.”

    The new Roots retail space brings together “cabin comforts and city conveniences” to create a space that feels like home, the company said in a statement. The store showcases Roots’ character and heritage by immersing shoppers in the more than 40 years of the brand’s stories and products.

    The brand’s collection is curated into four main areas in store, each telling a different Roots story, including a Cooper Beaver Collection that pays tribute to Roots iconic logo the Cooper Beaver, Roots Original Salt & Pepper Sweats, handcrafted leather, as well as seasonally relevant products that embody Roots unique comfortable cabin-meets-city style.

    “Leveraging our strong network and local resources, we are excited to bring the world-renowned Roots brand to Hong Kong,” said Sunny Wong, CEO of Branded Lifestyle Group.

    “The leisure-and-lifestyle-apparel trend continues to gain momentum in Asia, and we believe Roots focus on comfort and style is a perfect fit for the Hong Kong market.”

    Starting from a small cabin in Algonquin Park, Canada, in 1973, Roots has grown to become a global brand with 114 corporate retail stores in Canada, seven corporate retail stores in the US, 117 partner-operated stores in Taiwan, 37 in China and a global e-commerce platform.

    Branded Lifestyle Holdings represents five brands: Hang Ten, H:Connect, Arnold Palmer, Hunter and now Roots. It owns or franchises more than 1000 retail outlets across Greater China, South Korea, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

  • Roots Canada To Open First Hong Kong Store

    Roots Canada To Open First Hong Kong Store

    Premium outdoor lifestyle brand Roots Canada has opened its first Hong Kong store this month, at Harbour City.

    The store was opened with Fung Retailing’s Branded Lifestyle Group, its Asian retail partner.

    Roots Canada’s brick-and-mortar debut in the territory coincided with the launch of an online store with Zalora Hong Kong.

    “Opening a store at the largest and most diverse shopping mall in Hong Kong is an important first step in what has the potential to be a multi-store market for Roots,” said Jim Gabel, president and CEO of Roots Canada.

    “Further, with an online store on Zalora, customers can go beyond the physical location to connect with our brand anytime and from anywhere in Hong Kong. Our expansion into Hong Kong is a testament to the continued success of our longstanding partnership with Branded Lifestyle Group.”

    The new Roots retail space brings together “cabin comforts and city conveniences” to create a space that feels like home, the company said in a statement. The store showcases Roots’ character and heritage by immersing shoppers in the more than 40 years of the brand’s stories and products.

    The brand’s collection is curated into four main areas in store, each telling a different Roots story, including a Cooper Beaver Collection that pays tribute to Roots iconic logo the Cooper Beaver, Roots Original Salt & Pepper Sweats, handcrafted leather, as well as seasonally relevant products that embody Roots unique comfortable cabin-meets-city style.

    “Leveraging our strong network and local resources, we are excited to bring the world-renowned Roots brand to Hong Kong,” said Sunny Wong, CEO of Branded Lifestyle Group.

    “The leisure-and-lifestyle-apparel trend continues to gain momentum in Asia, and we believe Roots focus on comfort and style is a perfect fit for the Hong Kong market.”

    Starting from a small cabin in Algonquin Park, Canada, in 1973, Roots has grown to become a global brand with 114 corporate retail stores in Canada, seven corporate retail stores in the US, 117 partner-operated stores in Taiwan, 37 in China and a global e-commerce platform.

    Branded Lifestyle Holdings represents five brands: Hang Ten, H:Connect, Arnold Palmer, Hunter and now Roots. It owns or franchises more than 1000 retail outlets across Greater China, South Korea, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

  • Fiat Chrysler To Cut 1,500 Jobs At Canadian Minivan Plant

    Fiat Chrysler To Cut 1,500 Jobs At Canadian Minivan Plant

    Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said on Thursday it will eliminate one shift at its Windsor, Ontario, assembly plant where it builds minivans, resulting in the loss of 1,500 jobs.

    The Italian-American automaker said in a statement the elimination of a shift, which will take effect on Sept. 30, was to address slowing global demand. The company said it would offer retirement packages to eligible employees and attempt to place indefinitely laid off hourly employees in open full-time positions. Earlier this week, Canadian media outlets reported Fiat Chrysler would idle the plant for two weeks in April, the third time this year the plant has been temporarily closed.

  • South Korea’s VDL Cosmetics a new store in Toronto

    South Korea’s VDL Cosmetics a new store in Toronto

    Korean cosmetics firm VDL is expanding in the Canadian market with the launch of the brand’s first flagship store in Toronto’s Queen West neighborhood.

    VDL, which stands for Vivid Dreams come to Life, was founded by LG Household & Health Care Corp in 2012. The brand has successfully expanded to China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, and is breaking into North America for the first time.

    To celebrate the Toronto launch, the brand will be hosting an interactive pop-up shop at the CF Toronto Eaton Center from April 8–14, offering special prizes and hosting a range of engaging activities.

    VDL’s most recent collection, the 2019 limited edition Living Coral range, is set to officially launch on April 1st and will be available in store for preview in March. Select items from the collection are already available online.

    The brand is pursuing its strategy of working with world-class makeup artists in expanding in the region. In Canada, celebrity makeup artist Martin Younan is working with the brand to ensure VDL products reach consumers.

    “I’ve been visiting Korea for years now and having VDL here in North America is beyond exciting,” said Younan.

  • HMV saved by Sunrise Records, but some stores will close

    HMV saved by Sunrise Records, but some stores will close

    Canadian firm Sunrise Records has emerged as the buyer of collapsed music chain HMV, beating competition including Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley. The firm will buy 100 stores out of administration, securing 1,487 jobs. But 27 stores will close, resulting in 455 redundancies. Sunrise Records chief executive Doug Putman said he was “delighted to acquire the most iconic music and entertainment business in the UK.”

    No price was given.

    Canadian entrepreneur Mr Putman, 34, bought the retail chain Sunrise Records in 2014. He previously bought HMV’s Canadian business in 2017, expanding his small chain into a national operation with 80 outlets.

    Mr Putman is also President of Everest Toys, the largest toys and games distribution company in North America. He said that HMV was a “fantastic, heritage brand”. He also said the chain would be looking to stock more vinyl records, in response to customer demand.

    HMV owner Hilco, which took the company out of its first administration in 2013, has blamed a “tsunami” of retail challenges for the latest collapse.

    These include business rate levels and the increasing use of streaming services to deliver music and movies.

    HMV sold 31% of all physical music in the UK in 2018 and 23% of all DVDs, with its market share growing month by month throughout the year.

    However, the music industry expects physical entertainment sales to shrink by another 17% this year.

    Will Wright, partner at KPMG and joint administrator said: “We are pleased to confirm this sale which, after a complex process, secures the continued trading of the majority of the business.

    “Our immediate concern is now to support those employees that have unfortunately been made redundant.”

  • Deciem skincare firm founder passed away

    Deciem skincare firm founder passed away

    Brandon Truaxe, the founder of Canadian skincare company Deciem, has died at the age of 40, the firm announced in an Instagram post. Truaxe launched the brand, best known for its affordable skincare line The Ordinary, in Toronto in 2013. Since then it has since expanded worldwide, with stores in the US, the UK, South Korea, Australia, Mexico and the Netherlands.

    “Brandon, our founder and friend. You touched our hearts, inspired our minds and made us believe that anything is possible,” a Monday post on Deciem’s Instagram reads.

    CIUDAD DE M?????????XICO, marzo 30 (EL UNIVERSAL).- Brandon Truaxe, joven creador del concepto, recibi?????????? a decenas de invitados en este nuevo espacio, donde las personas podr?????????n solicitar asesor??????????a sobre los tratamientos m?????????s efectivos para mejorar el estado del cutis y otras zonas del cuerpo. Foto: Agencia EL UNIVERSAL (GDA via AP Images)

    “Thank you for every laugh, every learning and every moment of your genius. Whilst we can’t imagine a world without you, we promise to take care of each other and will work hard to continue your vision. May you finally be at peace.”

    The Estée Lauder Companies, an investor in Deciem since 2017, said in a statement: “Truaxe was a true genius, and we are incredibly saddened by the news of his passing … he positively impacted millions of people around the world with his creativity, brilliance and innovation. This is a profound loss for us all.”

    Truaxe was removed as co-CEO of Deciem in October 2018 following a lawsuit brought by Estée Lauder, after his posts on the company’s social media accounts became increasingly erratic.

    “Brandon will always be the founder of Deciem,” the company posted on Instagram in October. “We will take the passion and values he has instilled within us as we continue to grow the brands we have created with transparency, integrity, authenticity, function and design.”

  • Chun Yang Tea expands into Canada

    Chun Yang Tea expands into Canada

    Taiwanese bubble-tea brand Chun Yang Tea is launching its first store in Canada. With operations across Taiwan as well as in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Malaysia, the brand is now planning two new store locations in Toronto and one in Vancouver. While the Canadian market has been judged as saturated for bubble-tea retailers, Chun Yang claims its product is authentic and traditional, offering beverages made without any artificial milk powder to achieve a more natural taste.

    So far no information has been released as to exact launch dates, although the brand’s website claims the stores are “coming soon”.

  • Time is running out for Sears offer

    Time is running out for Sears offer

    Sears chairman Eddie Lampert’s last minute plans to save the bankrupt retail chain are set to be terminated on Friday afternoon, New York time, should they be determined to not be a “qualifying bid”. The first plan, a US$4.4 billion offer to purchase Sears, would provide ongoing positions for 50,000 employees and is the “best outcome for the debtors and their creditors and other stakeholders,” according to documents filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

    The second plan, however, is an offer to acquire at least 250 stores as a going concern, as well as certain assets across the home services division and certain intellectual property.

    Earlier this week the business confirmed a further 80 stores would be closing by March, alongside the 40 already announced, with liquidation sales expected to begin in early January 2019.

    GlobalData Retail managing director Neil Saunders mused that the brand had hit rock bottom and was “essentially worthless” in its current state.

    “Ultimately, reinventing Sears now would be akin to raising the Titanic and making is seaworthy again: a thankless and rather pointless task,” Saunders said.

    Lampert stepped down as company chief executive when it filed for bankruptcy in October.

  • Canada Goose opens store in Beijing

    Canada Goose opens store in Beijing

    Winter clothing firm Canada Goose has finally opened its first Mainland Chinese store in Beijing. In a launch rumoured to be delayed due to political tensions between China and Canada – and dismissed by the firm as the result of construction delays – extensive queues saw shoppers waiting for over an hour for the opportunity to purchase the CNY9000 (US$1300) parka jackets.

    The brand has previously enjoyed significant popularity in Hong Kong.

    An email from the firm to news agency Reuters read “We are proud of our newest store in China and look forward to welcoming our fans”.

    Calls to boycott the brand were made on social media following Canada’s arrest of Huawei Technologies’ CFO Meng Wanzhou, a situation that has sparked a 37 per cent drop in the value of Canada Goose shares in Toronto.

  • Miniso Canada is collapsing

    Miniso Canada is collapsing

    Miniso Canada is on the brink of bankruptcy after an action brought against it by its Chinese parent company alleging fraudulent business dealings and the transfer and hiding of assets. The extraordinary situation was revealed by Canadian website which in its last update reported the Canadian subsidiary had reached a preliminary agreement with the Chinese company to avoid the move.

    Miniso China has declined comment.

    Citing court documents, Miniso China is owed C$20 million (US$14.7 million) and had retained a lawyer to commence legal action in British Columbia courts to recover the amount.

    Minso launched in Canada last year with plans for 500 stores within five years. To date it has opened 48.